Can opener



1933. E. M. DARQUE 1,921,911

CAN OPENER Filed July 7, 1932 Fig.1. Fig. Q.

Patented Aug. 8, 1933 PATENT OFFICE CAN OPENER Etienne Marcel Darqu, Clichy, France Application July 7, 1932, Serial No. 621,281, in France July 13, 1981 1 Claim. (01. 30-3)] open or in the closed positionas may be re.

quired.

It is well known that the acute angle of blades which are freely hinged, frequently tears the pocket of the garment in which the knife is carried, and that it may even cause personal injury. On the other hand, whilst a box of preserves is being opened, a faulty movement may cause a sudden closure of the blade and injury to the fingers of the user.

The present invention obviates these disadvantages and dangers. It consists in securing to the handle of the knife one of the ends of a spring of which the free end is provided with lugs of suitable shape, which bear against claws formed integral with the blade, the force of pressure of the said spring being exerted on certain points of the said claws (an edge for example) for holding the said blade in the open position, and on other points of the said claws (the flat for example) for holding the said blade in the closed position, the whole being arranged in such a manner that the blade can, when required, be easily moved from one position to the other and is held firmly in the position desired.

I will describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing in which four views of an example are shown.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a knife for opening metallic food containers, with the blade in the closed position, Fig. 1 being seen from the side having the spring. Fig. 2 being seen from the blade 40 side. 4

Figs. 3 and 4'show by end views, the action of the spring, the blade being in closed position, Fig. 3, and in the open position in Fig. 4.

According to this example of the invention,

45 a tongue 1 is formed integral with the handle 2 of the knife; it is wound in the form of a tube. In the blade 3 is provided an opening or slot 4 in such a manner that the portion 5, thus provided, forms the axis of rotation for the part 1. The 50 blade 3 carries two extensions or claws 8 and 7.

To the side of the handle opposite to that on which the blade bears in the closed position is secured, by means of a rivet 9, aspring 8. This spring has bent lugs 10 and 11 corresponding with the claws B and 'l and of which the shape and dimensions are made suitable for their use; in the drawing they are provided with an inclined portion 12 and a. beak 13.

When the knife is in the position for transport the blade 3 is firmly applied against the handle 1, as shown in Fig. 3, and the knife is then quite safe, the blade being safely held by the beak of the spring bearing against the flats 14 of the blade. If by means of the thumb nail the blade is brought into the position 01' use the said blade forms a right angle with the handle as shown in Fig; 4, this operation may be facilitated by any suitable arrangement,'in particular by causing the blade, in the closed or transport position, to bear upon the head of the rivet 9 as a result of which a very slight space is formed between the blade and the handle for the passage of the nail. When the blade is extended the inclined portions 12 press against the upper edge 15 of the claws as clearly seen in Fig. 4.

7 It will be seen that the two required positions of the blade are obtained easily and that the blade is firmly held at both, the spring forming what may be termed an elastic bolt.

The invention can be carried out in various ways within the scope of the following claim.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said.invention'and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I claim is:

A knife for opening metallic food containers comprising a substantially flat handle, a blade pivotally attached to one edge of the handle and adapted to lie flat against the handle when out of use and to stand at about a right angle thereto for use, said handle being provided with a spring riveted to one side thereof and formed, with oblique and beak portions which bear against the blade in both its open and closed position.

ETIENNE MARCEL DARQUE.-

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